US3662321A

US3662321A - Electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: US3662321A
Application number: US53862A
Authority: US
Inventors: Allen J Bury
Original assignee: Molex Products Co
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 1970-07-10
Filing date: 1970-07-10
Publication date: 1972-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-09
Also published as: FR2083213A5; GB1335615A; DE2114429A1; CA928409A

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly is disclosed herein and generally comprises a plug element adapted to encase the terminal ends of a first group of wires and a receptacle element adapted to encase the terminal ends of a second group of wires. The receptacle element is further adapted to receive and mate with the plug element for electrically connecting the first group of wires to the second group of wires. In order to achieve this mating operation, a clamp arrangement is provided and includes a pair of plug clamps and a pair of receptacle clamps assembled to the plug element and the receptacle element respectively. The clamp arrangement also includes a pair of elongated fastening members insertable through cooperating openings in the plug and receptacle clamps for bringing the plug and receptacle elements into mating engagement with each other.

Description

[ 51 May 9,1972

United States Patent Bury [54] ELECTRICALCONNECTORASSEMBLY 3.488.622 1/1970 Gley....................................339/75M l [72] Inventor Al en J Bury, Prospect Heights, 111 Primary Examiner joseph H Mcalynn [73] Molex Products Company, Downers Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell Assignee:

Grove, 11].

ABSTRACT [22] Filed: July 10, 1970 [211 App No An electrical connector assembly is disclosed herein and generally comprises a plug element adapted to encase the ter- 52 U.s.c1. ...........................................339 92M,339 12s ...H0lr 13/54 .339/65, 66, 75. 91, 92,128,

[51] Int.Cl..............

[58] Field ofSearch..................

and mate with the plug element for electrically connecting the first group of wires to the second group of wires. in order to achieve this mating operation, a clamp arrangement is pro- References Clted vided and includes a pair of plug clamps and a pair of receptacle clamps assembled to the plug element and the receptacle element respectively. The clamp arrangement also includes a .339/92 M pair of elongated fastening members insertable through cooperating openings in the plug and receptacle clamps for R bringing the plug and receptacle elements into mating engagement with each other,

.339/198 G 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures S m T m u N a m E n n T L m A a a w 1 h u n u E m m m" A ao.b m w zmfl 5 $8 2.1 [r1 3 D CPKBWB E n 278229 N 666666 U 999999 HHHHHH 0 2060 245 92 496682 933 ,3 697 0 59 647 v Y 333333 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to electrical connector assemblies and more particularly to arrangements for mating the plug and receptacle portions of electrical connector assemblies.

DISTINCTIONS OVER THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTS Electrical connector assemblies are commonly utilized for interconnecting groups of wires rather than separately joining together individual pairs of wires. The prior art electrical connector assemblies commonly include a plug having terminals connected to a first group of wires and a receptacle having terminals connected to a second group of wires. The groups of wires are electrically interconnected by inserting the plug portion of the connector into the receptacle portion of the connector.

It has been found that as the number of wires of each of the groups of wires increases the physical exertion required in physically mating the plug and receptacle also increases. In fact, it is practically impossible to perform this connecting operation without a mechanical contrivance when a large number of wires are involved. Therefore, the prior art has resorted to various mechanical means for doing the same. However, it has been found generally that the high cost in manufacturing such mechanical means proposed by the prior art prevents such means from being used. In addition, no economically feasible clamping means has been disclosed which may be satisfactorily and reliably connected to the plug and receptacle portions of the connector assembly. Nor has such means been disclosed which satisfactorily and reliably connects the plug and receptacle portions to an external structure such as a control panel.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved clamping arrangement for connecting together a plug and cooperating receptacle, which arrangement is simple in design and construction, economical to manufacture, highly practical in use, and which is adapted for rapid assembly with electrical components.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a clamping arrangement of the above-described type, the components of which are integrally molded units.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved clamping arrangement of the above-described type which may be easily and reliably secured to the plug and receptacle portions of an electrical connector assembly and which may be easily and reliably connected to an external structure such as a control panel for mounting the connector assembly thereto.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following descriptions.

The above-stated objects are achieved and the prior art deficiencies are eliminated by a clamping arrangement constructed in accordance with this invention. Briefly, this arrangement comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped plug clamps and receptacle clamps, each clamp being preferably constructed of molded nylon so as to form a discrete integral unit. The plug clamps are mounted to opposite sides of a substantially rectangular plug element which houses a first group of electrical wires. In like manner, the receptacle clamps are mounted to opposite sides of a substantially rectangular receptacle element which houses a second group of electrical wires.

In order to reliably secure the clamps to their respective plug and receptacle elements, each clamp is formed with a pair of flange members extending along its leg portions. Each of these flange members defines a longitudinal channel which is adapted to slidably and snugly receive a cooperating elongated ridge formed in an associated plug or receptacle element. In order to prevent each clamp from sliding off its associated element, a second pair of flanges are provided, each of which defines an aperture adapted to receive a wire from said groups of wires. In this manner, the clamp is keyed to its associated element.

Finally, both the plug clamps and the receptacle clamps include integral bushings which define openings adapted to receive jack screws or other suitable elongated fastening devices. After the plug and receptacle clamps have been assembled to the plug and receptacle elements, respectively, and after these clamps are positioned such that the openings in the plug clamp are in alignment with the openings in the receptacle clamp, the jack screws are inserted through cooperating openings for mating the plug and receptacle elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, the assembly being shown in unmated fashion;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2, with the assembly being shown in mated fashion;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 in FIGS;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified electrical connector assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, the assembly being shown in unmated fashion;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken generally along the line l0-10 in FIG. 8, however with the assembly being mated together; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken generally along line 11- 1 1 in FIG. 9, however with the assembly being shown in mated fashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, an electrical connector assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated generally in FIG. I and designated by the reference numeral 10. The assembly includes a plug element 12 which is engageable with a receptacle element 14, in a mating relationship, as illustrated best in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A clamp arrangement comprising a pair of

identical plug clamps

16, 16a and a pair of

identical receptacle clamps

18, 18a, which are assembled to plug element 12 and receptacle element 14, respectively, and cooperate with two jack screws or other suitable

elongated fastening elements

20, 20a, provides the necessary force required for mating and unmating the plug element and receptacle element. In order to more fully understand and appreciate the invention, the description of both the plug element and receptacle element will be set forth before describing the clamp arrangement.

The receptacle 14 is preferably constructed of a suitable insulating material, and molded so as to form an integral unit. The receptacle includes a rectangular base section 22 which is defined by side walls 24, 26,

end walls

28, 30, and top and

bottom walls

32 and 34, respectively. Base section 22 is adapted to encase and house the terminal end portions of a plurality of electrical wires 36 which are inserted in longitudinally extending cylindrical bores 38 formed in the base section, the wires entering the base section at bottom wall 34, as illustrated best in FIG. 4. Terminals 40 (see FIG. 5) of a female form are crimped on the wires 36 in a known manner. The terminals are mounted in the bores 38 for mating engagement with associated male-type terminals 42 which are connected to the terminal end portions of a second group of wires 44 which extend into similar cylindrical bores 46 in plug 12, as will be seen hereinafter. The

terminals

40 and 42 are constructed in a manner similar to that illustrated in US Pat. No. 3,178,673, and are mounted in the bores 38 and 46 in a manner set forth in that patent.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, each of the side walls 24 and 26 of base section 22 is formed with an elongated rectangular and horizontally extending

flange member

48 and 50, respectively. These flange members are positioned near the lower ends of their respective side walls and extend the entire length thereof for slidably receiving and supporting receptacle clamps l8 and 18a in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Turning now to plug element 12, attention is directed back to FIG. 1. The plug element, which is preferably constructed of the same material as receptacle 14 and which is preferably formed in the same manner, includes a substantially rectangular base section 52. This base section is defined by side walls 54, 56, end walls 58, 60 (FIG. 6), and top and bottom walls 62 and 64, respectively (FIGS. 1 and 4). The bores 46 are positioned through the top and bottom walls of base section 56 and house male terminals 42 such that, upon placing bottom wall 64 in confronting relationship with top wall 32 of base section 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engaging ends of male terminals 42 enter respective female terminals 40 for electrically connecting wires 36 to wires 44.

Plug element 12 further includes a pair of elongated and horizontally extending

rectangular flange members

66 and 68 which are formed with side walls 54 and 56, respectively, and which extend the entire length thereof. These flange members perform a similar function to that of

flange members

48 and 50, that is, they receive and support plug clamps I6 and 16a in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of

rectangular skirt members

70 and 72, formed with and depending from side walls 54 and 56 directly below

flange members

66 and 68, aid in guiding plug element 12 into mating engagement with receptacle element 14. In addition, skirt member 70 includes a plurality of laterally spaced and vertically extending ridges or abutments 74 formed on the skirt members inner surface, as illustrated best in FIG. 7. These ridges or abutments slidably enter cooperating channels 76 formed in side wall 24 of base section 22 when plug element 12 is mated with receptacle element 14. The combination of ridges 74 and channels 76 aid in preventing the plug element and receptacle element from moving laterally with respect to each other.

With plug element 12 and receptacle element 14 being constructed in the aforesaid manner, attention is now directed to the clamp arrangement comprising plug clamps 16, 16a, receptacle clamps 18, 18a, and

jack screws

20, 20a. Since plug clamp 16 and receptacle clamp 18 are identical to plug clamp 16a and receptacle clamp 18a, respectively, like portions of the plug clamps and like portions of the receptacle clamps will be designated by like reference numerals, the suffix letter a" being utilized to designate those portions of

clamps

16a and 18a. In addition, only plug clamp 16 and receptacle clamp 18 will be described in detail.

Plug clamp 16 is preferably constructed from a suitable polymeric material, such as nylon, which is molded into an integral unit. The plug clamp includes a substantially U-shaped base or body 78 comprising a first rectangular leg or side wall 80 which merges at one vertical edge thereof with a perpendicular and inwardly extending base portion 82. The free vertical edge of base portion 82, in turn, merges with one vertical edge of a substantially semi-cylindrical or U-shaped bushing 84 which defines a longitudinal opening 86 (FIG. 6) for receiving jack screw 20, as will be seen hereinafter. The otherwise free vertical edge of bushing 84 is formed with a second base portion 88 which is positioned in the same plane as base portion 82, and which extends in an opposite direction therefrom. A second rectangular leg or side wall 90, which is laterally spaced from and in confronting relationship with leg or side wall 80, extends from the otherwise free vertical edge of base portion 88 so as to complete the substantially U- shaped base or body 78.

As illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 6, legs and are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the base section 52 of plug element 12 so that the inner surfaces of the legs slidably engage side walls 54 and 56 of the base section when plug clamp 16 is assembled to plug element 12.

A pair of elongated substantially

U-shaped flanges

92 and 94, which are best illustrated in FIG. 4, are formed with

respective legs

90 and 80 of plug clamp 16 and provide means for assembling the plug clamp to plug element 12. Specifically, flange 92 is positioned on its side and has its upper leg integral with the lower external surface portion of leg 90. This flange opens inwardly for defining a rectangular channel 96 which extends the length of and slightly below leg 90, and which snugly but slidably receives ridge or abutment 66 of plug element 12. In like manner, flange 94 is positioned on its side and has its upper leg integral with the lower external surface of leg 80. This flange also opens inwardly for defining a rectangular channel 98 extending the length of and slightly below leg 80 for snugly but slidably receiving ridge or abutment 68. The rearward ends of

flanges

92 and 94 are closed by

extensions

100 and 102 of

respective base portions

88 and 82.

Referring to FIG. 6, plug clamp 16 further includes a first shoulder 104 which is formed with the inner surfaces of leg 80 and base portion 82 and which terminates at one end with one side of bushing 84. The other end of the shoulder merges with a semi-cylindrical flange 106 which has an aperture 108 extending therethrough for receiving a single wire 44. Both shoulder 104 and flange 106 lie in a horizontal plane and are positioned so that their bottom surfaces engage top wall 62 of plug element 12 when the latter is assembled with the plug clamp.

A second shoulder 110 and a second flange 112 having an aperture 114 for receiving a second wire 44 are formed with the inner surfaces of leg 90 and base portion 88 and, as illustrated in FIG. 6, provide a mirror image of shoulder 104 and flange 106. Shoulders I04 and 110 provide additional support and guidance to plug clamp 16 as the latter is assembled to the plug element.

As stated above, each of the

apertures

108 and 114 of

flanges

106 and 112 receives a wire 44. This allows the entire plug clamp to be keyed to the plug element for preventing the clamp from sliding laterally off the plug element. It should be noted that while two flanges for receiving wires 44 are shown, the invention contemplates any reasonable number of such flanges.

Turning now to FIG. 5, jack screw 20 is shown in elevational cross-section and includes a threaded cylindrical body portion 1 16 depending from a cylindrical flange portion 118 having a diameter substantially greater than body portion 116. Flange portion 118, in turn, depends from a cylindrical fastening head 120 displaying a diameter intermediate that of body portion 116 and flange portion 118. In order to securely maintain the jack screw within opening 86, one side of flange portion 118 fits snugly but slidably within an indent or channel which is defined by two vertically spaced

shoulders

122 and 124 formed with the inner surface of bushing 84. In this manner, once the plug clamp is assembled to the plug element, vertical movement of jack screw 20 is totally eliminated, which in turn eliminates the fear of losing the screw prior to mating the plug element 12 with receptacle element 14.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 4, receptacle clamp 18 is shown and like plug clamp 16 is preferably molded into an integral unit from a suitable polymeric material such as nylon. The receptacle clamp includes a substantially U-shaped base or body 126 defined by two laterally spaced and aligned rectangular legs or

side walls

128 and 130 which are connected at respective vertical edges by a rectangular base portion 132. As seen best in FIG. 4,

legs

128 and 130 are adapted to engage side walls 24 and 26 of receptacle element 14 directly below

respective flange members

48 and 50 when the receptacle clamp is assembled to the receptacle element.

Two elongated substantially

U-shaped flanges

134 and 136 are formed with

respective legs

128 and 130 and provide means for assembling receptacle clamp 18 to receptacle element 14 in the same manner as described with respect to plug clamp 16 and plug element 12. Specifically, flange 134 is positioned on its side and has its lower leg integral with the upper external surface portion of leg 128. This flange opens inwardly for defining a rectangular channel 138 which extends the length of and slightly above leg 128, and which snugly but slidably receives ridge or abutment 48 of receptacle element 14. In like manner, flange 136 is positioned on its side and has its lower leg integral with the upper external surface of leg 130. This flange also opens inwardly for defining a rectangular channel 140 extending the length of and slightly above leg 130 for snugly but slidably receiving ridge or abutment 50. Both

flanges

134 and 136 are closed at their respective rearward ends by

extensions

140 and 142 which merge with base portion 132, as illustrated best in FIG. 1.

Directing attention specifically to FIG. 7, receptacle clamp 18 further includes a substantially U-shaped shoulder 144 which is formed with

legs

128, 130 and base portion 132 of receptacle clamp 18 for providing the same function as that of

shoulders

104 and 110 of plug clamp 16. Specifically, shoulder 144 lies in a horizontal plane and is positioned so that its top surface engages bottom wall 34 of receptacle element 14 when the latter is assembled with the receptacle clamp. In this manner, shoulder 144 provides additional support and guidance to the receptacle clamp as the latter is assembled to the receptacle element.

A pair of substantially

semi-cylindrical flanges

146 and 148 having

respective apertures

150 and 152 extending longitudinally therethrough are formed with respective opened ends of U-shaped shoulder 144 and extend inwardly towards each other, as can best be seen in FIG. 7.

Flanges

146 and 148 provide substantially the same function as that of

flanges

106 and 112 of plug clamp 16. That is, each of the

apertures

150 and 152 receives a single electrical wire 36 so that the entire receptacle clamp is keyed to receptacle element 14 which in turn prevents the former from laterally sliding off the latter. It should be noted, that while two flanges for receiving wires 36 are shown, the invention contemplates any reasonable number of such flanges.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, a semi-cylindrical and vertically extending bushing 154 is centrally formed with the base portion 132 of receptacle clamp 18 and extends substantially the entire vertical length thereof. A cylindrical aperture 156 extends longitudinally through bushing 154 for receiving the threaded body portion 116 of jack screw 20. As illustrated best in FIG. 1, bushing 154 depends from a rectangular support flange which extends out from and which is joined with the topmost edge of base portion 132 so that the top edge of base portion 132 and the top surface of support flange 157 comprise a single smooth surface.

A second vertically extending bushing 158, which is cylindrical as opposed to semi-cylindrical, is supported by and formed with a portion of support flange 157 and a portion of the top edge of base portion 132. This bushing extends upwardly from support flange 157 and includes a cylindrical aperture 160 which extends longitudinally therethrough and which is aligned with aperture 156 for receiving body portion 116 of jack screw 20. A cylindrical aperture 162 is provided through support flange 157 and is aligned with

apertures

156 and 160 for providing one continuous aperture. As seen in FIG. 1, a plurality of vertically extending wing-shaped stiffening flanges 164 are formed with bushing 158.

It should be noted, that the jack screw receiving

aperture comprising apertures

156, 160 and 162 is initially provided with a substantially smooth surface, as opposed to a cooperating threaded surface. The cross-sectional diameter of this aperture is slightly less than the crosssectional diameter of the body portion 116 of jack screw 20, so that when body portion 116 is inserted into this aperture for the first time its threaded surface grooves out a cooperating threaded surface in the aperture. This, of course, allows the receptacle clamp to be more accurately and inexpensively molded.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a resilient, outwardly projecting mounting car 166 is integrally formed with the outermost edge of support flange 157. This mounting ear is resiliently deformable about its connection with support flange 157, as indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 5, so as to enable the ear, along with mounting ear 166a of receptacle clamp 18a, to engage an aperture in a control panel or other suitable structure, as generally indicated by reference numeral 168, for thereby mounting the entire electrical connector assembly 10 thereto. Mounting

ears

166 and 166a are constructed in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,196,380, which is incorporated herein by this reference. It is to be understood that while two mounting ears (166 and 166a) are shown aligned and laterally spaced from each other, the exact positions and number of mounting ears are not critical to the invention so long as there is a sufficient number of appropriately positioned mounting ears for adequately mounting the electrical connector units to a suitable structure.

As previously indicated, plug clamp 16a and receptacle clamp 18a are identical to plug clamp 16 and receptacle clamp 18, like portions being designated by like reference numetals with the suffix letter a" being used to identify those portions of

clamps

16a and 18a. The only difference between clamps 16a, 180 as compared to

clamps

16, 18 resides in the manner in which they are positioned on plug element 12 and receptacle element 14. Specifically, plug clamp 16a and receptacle clamp 18a are positioned on opposite ends of the plug element 12 and receptacle element 14 so that these clamps form respective mirror images of plug clamp 16 and receptacle clamp 18.

It should be noted, that while two plug clamps and two receptacle clamps are disclosed, it is quite possible to utilize only one of each of these clamps or more than two provided such clamps are suitably dimensioned so as to reliably mate and unmate plug element 12 and receptacle element 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 10, a modified electrical connector assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numetal 10. This assembly is substantially identical to electrical connector assembly 10 with certain differences which will be described below. Therefore, identical components of these assemblies will be designated by like reference numerals, each identical component of assembly 10 having its associated reference numeral primed.

Like electrical connector assembly 10, assembly 10 includes a plug element 12' which is engageable with a receptacle element 14 in a mating relationship, as illustrated best in FIGS. 10 and 11. A clamp arrangement comprising a pair of identical plug clamps 170, 170a and a pair of identical receptacle clamps 172, 172a are assembled to plug element 12 and receptacle element 14', respectively. This clamp arrangement, in conjunction with two jack screws or other suitable elongated fastening elements 20' and 20a, provides the necessary force required for mating and unmating the plug element and receptacle element.

The first difference to be noted between assemblies 10' and 10 resides in plug clamps 170 and 170a. Specifically, these plug clamps are substantially identical to receptacle clamps 18 and 18a, except for the fact that they are assembled to a plug element as opposed to a receptacle element, and except for the fact that they do not include the

cylindrical bushings

158 and 158a of receptacle clamps 18 and 18a. Because

clamps

170 and 170a are otherwise identical withreceptacle clamps 18 and 18a, corresponding identical portions of each will be designated with the same reference numerals, with the reference numerals of the former portions being primed. Plug clamps 170 and 170a will not be described herein and reference is made to the description of receptacle clamps 18 and 18a.

The second and only other difference betweenassemblies 10 and 10 resides in receptacle clamps 172 and 172a. These clamps are substantially identical to plug clamps l6 and 16a of assembly 10 with one variation. Specifically, where clamps l6 and 16a have

semi-cylindrical bushings

84 and 84a which extend downward only as far as the bottom-most edges of

base portions

82 and 82a, as illustrated in FIG. 1, clamps 172 and 172a include semi-cylindrical bushings 174 and 1740 which extend down'a substantial distance beyond the bottom-most edges of their respective clamps, as illustrated best in FIG. 8. With this difference in mind, the remaining identical structure of each

receptacle clamp

172 and 172a will be referred to in the same primed manner as discussed above. Therefore, a further explanation is not necessary and reference is made to plug clamps l6 and 16a.

It is to be noted, that the aforementioned differences in connector assembly 10' as compared to connector assembly 10 allow jack screws 20' and 20a to be inserted initially into the receptacle element of assembly 10' as opposed to the plug element as is the case in embodiment 10.

While particular embodiments of the invention has been shown, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made. It is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the present application any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a plug element adapted to encase the terminal ends of a first group of wires; a receptacle element adapted to encase the terminal ends of a second group of wires and adapted to receive and engagesaid plug element for electrically connecting the first group of wires to the second group of wires; and a clamp arrangement including first and second plug clamps mounted to opposite sides of said plug element and first and second receptacle clamps mounted to opposite sides of said receptacle element and adapted to align with said first and second plug clamps respectively, said plug element and said receptacle element including similar substantially rectangular body portions and said plug clamps and said receptacle clamps including substantially U-shaped body portions adapted to slidably engage opposite ends of said plug element and receptacle element respectively, two opposite sides of said plug element and two opposite sides of said receptacle element including elongated ridges extending the length of said opposite sides and said plug clamp and said receptacle clamp including elongated flanges extending the length of the legs of their respective U- shaped body portions, each of said flanges defining a longitudinal channel adapted to slidably and snugly receive a corresponding one of said ridges for securing said clamps to said elements, said clamp arrangement further including first and second elongated fastening members, said first fastening member being insertable through cooperating first openings in said first clamps and said second fastening member being insertable through cooperating second openings in said second clamps whereby said plug element and receptacle element are mated together for electrically connecting said first group of wires with said second group of wires.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 including two parallel and laterally spaced skirt members connected to said opposite sides of the body portion of said plug element and extending outwardly therefrom for receiving the body portion of said receptacle element.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the base of each of said substantially U-shaped body portions of said clamps includes an integral bushing defining a corresponding one of said first and second openings, said bushings providing support of said fastening members.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein each of said plug clamps includes at least one flanged member connected to the plug clamps body portion, said flanged member having an aperture extending therethrough and adapted to receive one of said first group of wires for aiding in preventing said pligg clamp from becoming disengaged with said plug element. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein each of said receptacle clamps includes at least one flanged member connected to the receptacle clamps body portion, said flanged member having an aperture extending therethrough and adapted to receive one of said second group of wires for aiding in preventing said receptacle clamp from becoming disengaged with said receptacle element.

6. An assemblyaccording to claim 3 wherein each of said plug clamps and said receptacle clamps includes at least one flanged member connected to the clamps body portion, said flanged member having an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture adapted to receive one wire of said groups of wires for aiding in preventing said clamp from becoming disengaged with said element.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 including mounting means integrally formed with each of said plug clamps for mounting saidassembly to a control panel, said mounting means including an ear member which is resiliently deformable for engaging said control panel.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 including mounting means integrally formed with each of said receptacle clamps for maintaining said assembly in a control panel, said mounting means including an ear member which is resiliently deformable for engaging said control panel.

9. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said plug clamps andvsaid receptacle clamps are integrally molded elements.

10. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said plug clamps and said receptacle clamps are integrally molded elements.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: A plug element adapted to encase the terminal ends of a first group of wires; a receptacle element adapted to encase the terminal ends of a second group of wires and adapted to receive and engage said plug element for electrically connecting the first group of wires to the second group of wires; and a clamp arrangement including first and second plug clamps mounted to opposite sides of said plug element and first and second receptacle clamps mounted to opposite sides of said receptacle element and adapted to align with said first and second plug clamps respectively, said plug element and said receptacle element including similar substantially rectangular body portions and said plug clamps and said receptacle clamps including substantially U-shaped body portions adapted to slidably engage opposite ends of said plug element and receptacle element respectively, two opposite sides of said plug element and two opposite sides of said receptacle element including elongated ridges extending the length of said opposite sides and said plug clamp and said receptacle clamp including elongated flanges extending the length of the legs of their respective U-shaped body portions, each of said flanges defining a longitudinal channel adapted to slidably and snugly receive a corresponding one of said ridges for securing said clamps to said elements, said clamp arrangement further including first and second elongated fastening members, said first fastening member being insertable through cooperating first openings in said first clamps and said second fastening member being insertable through cooperating second openings in said second clamps whereby said plug element and receptacle element are mated together for electrically connecting said first group of wires with said second group of wires.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein each of said plug clamps includes at least one flanged member connected to the plug clamp''s body portion, said flanged member having an aperture extending therethrough and adapted to receive one of said first group of wires for aiding in preventing said plug clamp from becoming disengaged with said plug element.

5. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein each of said receptacle clamps includes at least one flanged member connected to the receptacle clamp''s body portion, said flanged member having an aperture extending therethrough and adapted to receive one of said second group of wires for aiding in preventing said receptacle clamp from becoming disengaged with said receptacle element.

6. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein each of said plug clamps and said receptacle clamps includes at least one flanged member connected to the clamp''s body portion, said flanged member having an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture adapted to receive one wire of said groups of wires for aiding in preventing said clamp from becoming disengaged with said element.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 including mounting means integrally formed with each of said plug clamps for mounting said assembly to a control panel, said mounting means including an ear member which is resiliently deformable for engaging said control panel.

9. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said plug clamps and said receptacle clamps are integrally molded elements.